Hypertension Research Programme - HT11

Launching a salt substitute to reduce blood pressure at the population level in Peru

Project location: Peru

Project duration: 2012 - 2017

Funding organisation

• National Institutes of Health, USA (NIH)
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, USA (NHLBI)

Primary research aim

To implement and assess the impact of an intervention using a salt substitute on blood pressure at the population level using a stepped wedge trial design.

Research objectives and methodology

Phase 1: To assess predisposition patterns towards incorporating the new salt substitute into daily cooking among villagers, authorities and other potential stakeholders, in order to inform and construct the structure of the intervention in the local communities and ensure successful implementation. For this, we will use focus groups and in-depth interviews techniques.

Phase 2: To implement and assess the impact of an intervention using a salt substitute on blood pressure at the population level using a stepped wedge trial design.

Current status

Phase 1 has concluded. Phase 2 enrollment has concluded. Implementation of the intervention in progress.

Project contact: Dr Jaime Miranda - jaime.miranda [at] upch.pe

Investigators

• Robert H Gilman, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
• Katie Sacksteder, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
• Jaime Miranda, CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
• Antonio Bernabe-Ortiz, CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
• Francisco Diez-Canseco, CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
  

Publications

1. Saavedra-Garcia L, Bernabe-Ortiz A, Gilman RH, Diez-Canseco F, Cárdenas MK, Sacksteder KA, et al. Applying the Triangle Taste Test to Assess Differences between Low Sodium Salts and Common Salt: Evidence from Peru. PLoS ONE 2015;10(7):e0134700.
2. Bernabe-Ortiz A, Diez-Canseco F, Gilman RH, Cardenas MK, Sacksteder KA, Miranda JJ. Launching a salt substitute to reduce blood pressure at the population level: a cluster randomized stepped wedge trial in Peru. Trials. 2014; 15(1): 93